Social Value: A Study in Economic Theory, Critical and Constructive

"Social Value: A Study in Economic Theory, Critical and Constructive" by B. M. Anderson, Jr. is a deep examination of economic ideas from the early 1900s, specifically social value, that aims to both break down and create a solid theory that benefits economic study and how we understand society. Inspired by economic discussions of the time and informed by thinkers like J.B. Clark, the book starts by recognizing the growing importance of social value, while questioning existing theories that mix up what individuals want with what society actually needs. Anderson argues that ideas like social marginal utility and social cost don't quite cut it, pushing for a better understanding of how personal values connect to social structures, with the ultimate goal of rebuilding economic theory on strong reasoning and social understanding.